Michael Irvin to host UMSHoF Celebrity Dolphin Fishing Tournament

By Lee Stephens

NFL Hall of Famer and UM football great Michael Irving.

NFL Hall of Famer and University of Miami football great Michael Irvin will host the fourth annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF) Celebrity Dolphin Fishing Tournament June 27-28 in Islamorada.

Activities take place at Founders Park at Mile Marker 87 and Coconut Cove Resort and Marina at Mile Marker 85 on the Overseas Highway.

The tournament weekend will begin Friday evening with a kick-off party and captains’ meeting followed on Saturday by a day of fishing, an awards dinner and both live and silent auctions featuring unique sports memorabilia and a variety of gift packages.

This is the only fishing event that matches participants with former Miami Hurricanes sports stars for the competition. Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to anglers in eight categories. A portion of the tournament proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis and the UMSHoF.

“This tournament reflects the Hall of Fame’s mission,” said K.C. Jones, president of the UMSHoF and founder of the tournament. “Not only can UM sports fans celebrate the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, they can compete side-by-side with them while raising money for local causes. We are on track for 100 boats to participate in this year’s tournament.”

Irvin added that the tournament is all about the U and the family of Hurricanes fans and former student-athletes.

Michael Irvin

“We must embrace the mission of the UMSHoF, which is an organization that recognizes the tremendous efforts of our Hurricanes athletes, coaches and administrators,” he said.”